Interview

In this interview, we welcome Ashraful Arefin, a talented street photographer from Dhaka, Bangladesh. His journey from fine art and graphic design to photography has led him to develop a distinctive and enchanting style, which he explains and shares with us step by step!

In March 2024, Nomadict organized its first photography workshop in Lofoten, Norway, in collaboration with Ronald Söthje. Our accommodation was Hattvika Lodge, our ideal base camp for countless adventures and a cozy retreat after long evenings chasing the mesmerizing northern lights.

“While I am thrilled to have had my work displayed in prestigious locations and alongside esteemed organizations, the most rewarding aspect is the connection I have forged with people who have come to appreciate my work as a storm photographer.”

“I’ve learned that the most important aspect of storytelling is not the price tag of your equipment but the skill and creativity behind the lens. It’s more about the story you want to convey than the latest camera and lens technology.”

“What people sometimes underestimate is the importance of investment, and self-investment. This is not related to money, but rather time. You need to take time for this and invest in your passion and a specific project. If you don’t have the money, no problem. You don’t need the money to invest time.”

“I love finding my visual voice and have been very fortunate in the past with my art. So I feel finding my visual identity was a smoother journey than most. But the key to this is finding inspiration and adapting to what meets you. There is no right or wrong. Follow your idols and adapt or go completely solo. With time your unique voice will emerge.”

“Personally, I don’t network per se. It feels unnatural to me. However, every time I’ve connected with like-minded creators, it’s resulted in both good friendships and made work way more fun. Photography can easily turn into a lonely profession so make sure you interact with other fellow human beings before you become too weird – try to stay just-the-right-amount of weird.”

“Finding new places and scouting new compositions will boost your creativity and inspiration. You will stand out from the rest by showcasing something original and unique. It can be hard but when you do, it’s extremely satisfying and success will come on its own.”

“In my notebook, I organize my trip visually by doing some research in the first place. I search for images on Google that are interesting to me and take notes explaining what I like about those images and the location. By describing the photos, I am actively thinking already about the actual photo session, so I pre-visualize my objectives and create clear goals, image-wise, for my trip.”

“Make sure people know you exist and let them know that you’re good at what you do. Don’t be afraid to send out emails showcasing your work to potential customers. You will get a lot of no’s, but eventually, you will get a yes and then the ball can start rolling.”